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A Little (Very Little) Fun – November 2009

Posted by Always Learning on Friday, November 06, 2009 3:49:01 PM

Okey dokey, the elections here in Virginia are over and it’s time to have a little (very little) fun before focusing on the 2010 election cycle. 

Nominations are open for GUTLESS WONDER GROUP of 2009. Who do you nominate and why? (e.g., Elected Officials in D.C., Banking Executives, Automotive Executives, Pharmaceutical Company Executives, RNC, DNC,…)

Who, if anyone, would you say most influenced your political thinking in 2009?

The Clone Machine is operational! You can clone ANY elected official currently serving somewhere (D.C., your home State, your County, etc) and send the clones to other States to run for office. Who would you clone and why?

What is your favorite color today and why?

Can someone tell me what sense the phrase “risk life and limb” makes? If you risk your life, what does it matter what happens to your limbs?

And say, since I am wondering about things … can someone enlighten me as to why a Muslim would enlist in the U.S. military given our engagements in the Middle East?  

Note: we are currently revamping our computer set up and location. My access will be spotty. Thanx for stopping by and I look forward to reading your comments.
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FIGHT'S ON!

Posted by Always Learning on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:48:23 PM
I have had my belly full of the whoha coming out of D.C.  I know what is happening and I know the outcome if something does not change in the very near future.  I am not a dolt and I am going to dedicate myself to one issue only for a short time. 
 
DRILL DRILL DRILL.  I am going to be spending my time demanding that Virginia start drilling off shore.  We are in a real pickle here.  It's time to take action.  

The dollar is worth diddly and we are about to be drawn further into the morass in Afghanistan.  Iran is making real head-way and Israel may need to take action.  We are being sucked dry.  We could literally lose our liberties by default.

This is the 5th anniversary of the death of my only step-grandbaby.   My memories of her have given me even more impetus to fight the good fight.  I don't want my future step-grandbabies to live like sheep being led to slaughter.

To all who have visited lately:  I am grateful for your stopping by and/or commenting.  Personal considerations have kept me from posting of late.  I have visited many of your blogs but have not commented.  Thanx to you all for your contributions to getting the truth told!   I will be back commenting soon.
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September 12th Observations

Posted by Always Learning on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 2:34:56 PM
What a day it was. Crammed like a sardine on the Metro train. I could not believe the number of folks going into D.C. Arrived later than expected and did not have time to meet up with a TH group as I had hoped. But I did get to meet a fellow blogger – Bobbie (http://speakupamerica.blogtownhall.com). She’s a hoot. 

The march down Pennsylvania Avenue was breathtaking with all the people, signs all over the place and, a general sense of ‘we have had enough’ with an out of control national government and its lack of accountability and responsibility. That was my take.

Now I had to avail myself of the facilities at one point. (I have a bladder the size of a real acorn.)  So I wandered into one of the buildings close by in order to get relief. I get inside and there were people checking purses, backpacks, etc. Ok, that’s cool. The guy who checked my purse felt the purse and opened the side with a bottle of water. He told me to leave the water bottle in my purse and not open it in the building. No problem. I then opened and offered to show him the other side of my little purse’s contents and he declined! He was satisfied with having patted both sides of my purse and discovering a water bottle. 

I ask you, how do the House and Senate expect me to have any confidence in a government that can’t even oversee the proper training of security personnel?  Like they should be in charge of ANYTHING to do with my money ...
 
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What’s In A Word or Phrase?

Posted by Always Learning on Thursday, August 27, 2009 1:07:49 PM
Here are four examples of words and phrases I would like to see replaced:  

Main Stream Media (MSM)

What is “main stream media” any way? I am a “main stream” Virginian and U.S. Citizen. Most of the media sure don’t report on the things that really matter without kowtowing to politicians, etc. So stop the “main stream” talk and call the majority of media something else.

Obamacare

Obama does not care about anyone’s health except that of his family and himself (as is his duty). So cut the idea of ‘care’ juxtaposed with Obama and this UNConstitutional power grab over all our lives.

Transforming America

Trannsforming America communicates (to me at least) that something is undergoing subtle changes with the base or root of whatever it is intact. (This phrase was picked up by an Obama speech shortly before his Inauguration, I believe.)

“Remake America” (in Obama speeches) indicates that something is undergoing a level of change that actually replaces the base or root of whatever is being altered. I vote this phrase replace the concept of “transformation.”   

Choice

The virtues that once accompanied this word were finally rejected when the Supreme Court of the United States created a “right” where none existed via abortion-on-demand. Now that’s a change that has remade America. And what is one of the talking points for “healthcare reform” today – people should have a choice (via government control).

Green
Green = A color
Green = Naïve or Inexperienced
Green = Money
Green = Flora things
Green Products, etc = Political Correctness
I think “red” should replace “green” in the context of products, etc.

What language changes would you recommend?

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Fingernails Scraping the Blackboard

Posted by Always Learning on Monday, August 17, 2009 8:03:53 AM
We all have those things which drive us up the wall. The thing that sends me running and screaming has to do with language. Here is an exchange recently between a Town Hall Attendee and the President of the United States…

Attendee:  Max Baucus, our senator, has been locked up in a dark room there for months now trying to come up with some money to pay for these programs. And we keep getting the bull. That's all we get, is bull. You can't tell us how you're going to pay for this. You're saving here, you're saving over there, you're going to take a little money here, you're going to take a little money there. But you have no money. The only way you're going to get that money is to raise our taxes. You said you wouldn't. Max Baucus says he doesn't want to put a bill out that will. But that's the only way you can do that.

President: Well, let -- I'm happy to answer the question.

Attendee: Thank you.

President: Look, you are absolutely right that I can't cover another 46 million people for free. You're right. I can't do that. So we're going to have to find some resources. If people who don't have health insurance are going to get some help, then we're going to have to find money from somewhere.

Short Wall Climbing Analysis

First, the gentleman addressing the President talked as though the President is a king who has personal control of ALL money (e.g. “But you have no money.”). I don’t think it wise to make these types of statements and encourage the illusion that the President of the United States is personally in control of any monies and distribution of the same.

The President compounded the illusion in his response (e.g. “I can’t cover another 46 million people for free.”). He then switched to the use of “we” in order to draw others into this illusion. Note also that the President did not refer to “Citizens,” he says “people.” 

I could go on and on, but you get the idea of what sends me climbing the walls.
 
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One Foot in the Grave?

Posted by Always Learning on Tuesday, August 04, 2009 5:40:46 PM
A couple of times I have heard Glenn Beck talk about the creation of an “exoskeleton” such that when things go down the dumper, there will be another type of governmental system already in place. (My summary of what he communicated.)

I munged on this for a time. I even went back to my college zoology class days! After much sifting through a massive amount of info and data, I concluded that Glenn may be right. Having settled that in my tiny little cranium I then began to contemplate …

What can be done to stop this “exoskeleton” from being realized?

Back to the munging, info collection, etc. Finally a little light bulb appeared above my tiny little cranium. Could it be, is it possible … I had an idea! 

The 50 States need to get together and decide once and for all to take things into their own hands. Reissue the Declaration of Independence (delete references to ‘The Crown' and insert Washington D.C.). Reinstitute the Articles of Confederation in the short term. Then, vote to adhere to the Constitution as originally written and include the first 10 amendments (if necessary). There. Now the country can get a fresh start without the interference of any “exoskeleton.” 

Not realistic? Not doable? I think the founders would have envisioned either a healthy Constitutional Republic or a total rejection of the same. I don’t think they would have foreseen this one-foot-in and one-foot-out of the grave by this time in history. 
 
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Potpourri Pot

Posted by Always Learning on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:30:37 AM
 
Last time I looked, we weren’t run by the mob or MS-13 (yet). So if any State wants to secede, I say go for it.

Government has no business being in business and business has no business being in cahoots with the government. The end result will be we end up with a dictator. 

My PCP plays defensive medicine.   The defense usually does not score touchdowns.

Any time you hear the following words coming from anyone in an elected office, watch out: law, reform, negotiation, comprehensive, interest, choice, Constitution, healthcare, wealthy …

The CBO goes to the White House. Isn’t that cozy.

To all the pine cones in D.C. and my state government, to take a title from an Ira Gershwin tune – “They can’t take that away from me.” I will live in the united States no matter what you do, period.

You can communicate knowledge but not wisdom.

One of the businesses I would like to see go out of business are those that advertise they can get your federal tax liability lowered as they are ‘former IRS agents.’ If you owe the money you should have to pay it. 

I am very grateful I don’t live in Cambridge and have to take the chance that I would get that policeman who is going to the White House.

[Add your contribution to this Potpourri Pot…]
 
Tags: Potpourri  
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Ladies and Gentlemen …

Posted by Always Learning on Friday, July 17, 2009 12:55:41 PM

Dudes and dudettes
 
Young and young at heart –

I give you

my version of a can of gasoline!


Dear U. S. Senator / Representative from Virginia:

I congratulate you on your ability to accomplish in a few short months what I never thought possible in my lifetime. 

I officially cry “uncle.” You have ignored my pleas to do what is right by Virginia and, ultimately, the United States. You walk in lock-step with an agenda that is hell-bent on smashing to bits the last vestiges of this potentially great Constitutional Republic. 

Here is what I want you to do: 

  • Pass “Cap and Trade” ASAP
  • Pass a second “stimulus package” ASAP
  • Take over health care ASAP
  • Allow Sharia law to take over ASAP
  • Outlaw guns ASAP
  • Outlaw free speech ASAP
  • Dissolve all borders ASAP
  • Appoint political activists to the bench ASAP

Why do I want you to take these actions?  Simple – It’s time to disintegrate into the likeness of many European countries, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela and the like. 

When you go home and your little head hits your little pillow, be pleased with yourself that you have pulled the plug on the United States of America. Take us off life-support and allow us to dissolve into total chaos and anarchy – BRING IT ON.

Name

Address, etc.

P.S.    Just so you know, you will never be able to kill my love for God (our Creator) or my country. You lose!
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RECALL

Posted by Always Learning on Monday, July 13, 2009 2:16:18 PM
Ok, maybe someone out there in blogdom can explain something to me:  
 
We got a notice from a local retailer that we had purchased a particular meat product subject to a recall. They sent a letter and called us to boot. 
 
Now this merchant could pinpoint what we bought and when we bought it. Guess that’s not surprising for a retailer. After all, it’s good business to make sure customers are informed.

Contrast that with my U.S. Rep and Senators who can’t tell me:

-         Where bailout monies are going

-         Where illegal aliens are in Virginia

-         What is written in bills they are voting for

-         [ Insert your example here ]


Now these same … people … expect me to believe that:

-         Any government entity can be “successful”

-         My health records will be secure in a government run healthcare system

-         Freddie and Fannie have any positive redeeming value

-         Those charged with protecting our national security can do their jobs with the threat of being prosecuted hanging over their heads  

-         [ Insert your example here ]


Maybe the meat industry should be in charge of immigration, for example. After all, they can track a side of beef from DNA to my dinner table. The Concritters can’t secure the borders, find 12-20 million illegal alients, etc.
 
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Personal Tea Party

Posted by Always Learning on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 2:31:23 PM
In addition to communicating with elected officials and attending rallies, here are steps I am considering to deprive government of its life blood and root of power – taxes (my “personal tea party,” if you will):
  • Cut gasoline consumption and stay home more
  • Cut hotel stays
  • Cut going to local restaurants for meals
  • Cut food purchases to bare necessities
  • Cut getting hair done by stylist
  • Cut clothing purchases to only bare necessities
  • Cut either TV or computer subscription
  • Cut use of electricity and gas for heating by at least half
  • I am sure there are more …

Do I recognize that businesses in my area will be affected? Yes. Does that “bother me?” Not in the long run.  No matter what I do, someone else is affected. 

I bear the responsibility to do that which expresses my sovereignty as defined in the Declaration of Independence.  

Q & A Section

Q: What’s in this for you?

A: I want to do my best to try and stem the tide of government’s hideous and insidious plans to deprive U.S. Citizens’ of their right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness endowed upon them by their Creator.  

Q: What if I don’t agree with your approach and think this undermines businesses?

A: Please disagree.  Discussion is good.  That said, I refuse to be emotionally blackmailed. These are personal considerations, period.

Q: Well if they are ‘personal considerations,’ why put them up here?

A: To vent and get reaction. That’s why I blog. 
 
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Will of the People

Posted by Always Learning on Monday, June 15, 2009 7:33:45 AM
How often have we heard that term in the context of elections? When things don’t go the way one group wants they claim the will of the people is being ignored and trashed. When the other group wins the very same election, they claim they have a mandate based upon the will of the people. 

Contradiction? On the surface, yes. And it does beg the question, what role does “my will” play here in the United States?  

If the will of the people is not to pay taxes, why do I bother to file and why did I allow my previous employers to deduct monies from my check every two weeks? If the will of the people is to be able to drive as fast as they want, why do I obey speed limits? If the will of the people is to have a new TV, why don’t I just go and take one from (rob) Best Buy? 

The answer is that I fight my natural, willful, selfish inclinations and submit “my will” to the laws on the books. 

If the will of the people is to have the national government gut the foundational principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, why do I keep fighting? If the will of the people is to kill free enterprise and herd the populace into national healthcare, etc., why do I bother to chastise elected officials who support these types of mandates?  If the ultimate goal of our national government is to further erode the States’ place in the Constitutional Republic, why do I work hard to try and get my State legislature to get a pair and fight national intrusion? 

Because the founders understood human nature/inclinations. They withheld the vast majority of power and control from the national government and vested it in the individual States and the People such that we would not fall into any of the “isms” that have plagued other countries and kingdoms throughout history. 

I did not create the Declaration of Independence. I do believe it is one of the finest documents ever created on behalf of a population desiring true liberty and freedom. I did not create the Constitution of the United States but, I do believe it was intended to separate governance authority such that mans natural inclination to grab power and subject populations to “isms” is minimized. 

Despite the time involved, I will subject my natural, selfish inclinations and fight on behalf of our posterity to restore the balance of governance authority in the United States. The will of the people means squat to me.  


Note: I have always had what I consider good (not perfect) instincts relative to political issues. What I have lacked is the ability to express myself in what I deem an effective manner.  I extend my gratitude to all who have visited my blog, those whose blogs I have visited and, all whose comments I read in various threads. While I have a long way to go, I will continue to learn from each of you.   
 
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What's YOUR TIME Worth?

Posted by Always Learning on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 6:35:24 PM
To All You Elected Officials in D.C.:

Let’s get something straight from the get go, there is one and only one characteristic that unites all of us with every other human being in the world– time. Each of us lives for a finite time on this orb called earth. It is the only common asset each human being possesses.  After that, we have what are called countries. The United States is a sovereign country. Got it? 

I am tired of having to spend my valuable time chasing after you people in hopes of persuading you to do what is right by your oath of office.  It’s like monitoring a bunch of toddlers. 

What is so difficult about doing what is right?  It isn’t difficult. The Declaration of Independence is an easy read and our foundational document. Read it. The Constitution is an easy read and limits your role in my life. Read it.

I have to balance my budget; repel the invasion of wasps, hornets, spiders, mice, deer ticks, and the like attacking my home and property; clean the house and make decisions what to keep and what to discard; monitor local and state issues; deal with healthcare issues; and the list goes on and on and on and on. 

I should not have to be spending as much time as I do monitoring what games you are playing there in D.C.  I should not have to be making multiple phone calls, sending emails and sending faxes to urging you to get out of micromanaging my life and further stripping me of my inalienable rights and depriving the next generation(s) of their liberty and responsibilities. 

So back off.  Reverse the insane policies and laws you have been passing lately. You continue to encroach on my time.
Tags: time  
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What Else Can be Taxed?

Posted by Always Learning on Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:43:03 AM
A friend sent me the following email and I decided to post it for your review.  Wonder what else can be taxed ...


Dear (Insert Idiot’s Name Here),

I heard the latest news release where y’all are considering taxing pop and medical insurance premiums in order to pay for, well - medical insurance premiums.

So being a good patriot I came up with some more stuff for y’all to tax. I mean why stop with just the bad stuff, seems to me if you tax the good stuff too you got both ends of the acid induced kaleidoscope covered that y’all look through.

In case you don’t get what I am talking about here are a few things that can be taxed:

Vegetables – Ya know fresh stuff causes embarrassing gaseous emissions that cause global warming, so why not tax human flatulence (farts to us non Congressional types).  And besides it’s picked by those who do jobs Americans won't do. So you get those taxes to boot!

Coffee – Since you can afford five bucks for a cup of ‘Joe’, then a few more bucks won’t bother ya, and besides it just frosts my donuts to wait in line longer to pay for my bottle of pop while the clerk makes your latte.

Words – Tax yourselves and the drivel that comes from y’alls mouths. Really the amount of harmful gas that emits from Washington in the form of press conferences could easily pay for the programs y’all want.

Drugs- Not the prescription ones or the illegal ones. Only tax the drugs that you lawmakers take. Cause only a brain dead druggie could come up with the stuff ya'll vote into law these days.

Sounds stupid, yeah it does to me too. That’s the travesty of it all. For some reason those who have been sent to represent us seem to forget they take the following oath of office:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

Now from where I sit either you have abandoned your oath or you are negligent in your execution of the duties you swore. In any event neither is legal, but you already know that don’t you?  Oh, and by the way, having your crooked little fingers crossed while taking said oath don’t count. In short since you don’t obey the laws, why should we?

Another Happy Constituent – NOT!
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A Little (very little) Fun V-Part B

Posted by Always Learning on Thursday, April 02, 2009 7:54:53 PM
 Soup’s On!!   (Listed below are the ingredients that are in the “stoned soup.”)   


The table is set … wait, we’re missing a few things: 

There is no additional seasoning in the soup

There are no side dishes to serve the guests

There is nothing to drink

There really isn’t a designated theme for this gathering and

Good grief the invitations have not gone out – no guests!


Help me out here …

add a seasoning,  a side-dish,  something to drink,  recommend someone to whom an invitation should be sent,  suggest a party theme, etc. 


I will start the ball rolling if that’s ok. I will invite my Virginia delegation and the seasoning I would add is “out of thyme.” 


Your turn …


Stoned Soup Ingredients*

HR 1572, The Hate Crime Legislation

HR 1388 (S277) the GIVE ACT ('Voluntary Corps')

Review and disposition of individuals detained at the Guantánamo bay naval base and closure of detention facilities

New gun ban

The Commerce Clause

The Great Society (Welfare)

Roe v. Wade

The Federal Dept of Education

The Federal Reserve Act of 1913; New Deal;  Social Security

McCain-Feingold

The closure and release of terrorists and paying them welfare

Just the "talk" of the fairness doctrine

Reagan's Amnesty bill that he thought would put a stop to illegal immigration

Any law requiring bike helmets and the like...

A sitting, elected president of the U.S. get(ing) the power to fire a CEO of an American corporation

All the PORK Congress has created

Stoned Soup Chefs*

Bobbie; Jennifer;  Eric; Rackoons; Garnet92; Gray Ghost; Marty; American Sweetheart ; Boaz; Glenn (glnflwrs); MD/MG; Dawndawn; Pen Captain;  Snow Knight; Jesse "The Mind" Norman; Virginia Daddy; Darvin Dowdy; Crossbow; KevInFl; GunnyG©

 
* If I left out an ingredient or did not list a Chef, please advise me so I can correct. Thanx.
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A Little (very little) Fun V

Posted by Always Learning on Friday, March 27, 2009 7:35:03 AM

I had a co-worker who, once a year, would rally the office and we would make ‘stone soup.’  Everyone brought an ingredient to put in the pot and we would have lunch together.  Some of these concoctions were really bad tasting, but we had a good time any way. 


This version of “stone soup” can include any law, court ruling, program or piece of legislation enacted by the national government that you perceive violates the letter and/or spirit of the United States Constitution.  Go back as far in our country’s history as you choose for your ingredient. 


The pot is ready to go and you need to add one ingredient. 


Let’s turn up the heat … what do you think needs to go in this pot and be cooked?    

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